Echium pininana
tower of jewels, giant viper's bugloss
A dramatic addition to the garden, echium produces exceptionally tall flower spikes packed with purple-blue flowers, and towers above everything else in the border in mid to late summer. The rough, dark green, lance-shaped leaves studded along its length give it an architectural silhouette in the dying sunlight, and it is particularly suitable for an exotic planting scheme. It is a biennial or short-lived perennial and likes to be kept dry. Not one for the timid gardener.
How to care for Echium pininana:
Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil, as these tall biennials or short-lived perennials dislike cold, wet conditions. Water regularly in the first year to establish, but avoid overwatering once settled.
In frost-prone areas, protect the crown and rosette with fleece or horticultural fabric through winter, as they are frost tender when young. Remove faded flower spikes once they have finished, as the plant will usually die after flowering, but allow some seed to fall if you’d like new plants to establish naturally.
In frost-prone areas, protect the crown and rosette with fleece or horticultural fabric through winter, as they are frost tender when young. Remove faded flower spikes once they have finished, as the plant will usually die after flowering, but allow some seed to fall if you’d like new plants to establish naturally.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
6m
Eventual spread:
0.9m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
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Skin irritant
2 litre pot
£34.99
available to order from late spring
Unavailable
approx 20 seeds
was £3.99
now £3.19
available to order from summer
Unavailable
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